However, concerns have been raised that the work could be immediately ruined should a utility company have to carry out works on the road.

Councillor James Palmer said the county council was working with Thames Water, which has a pipe running under the street, to ensure that it would agree not to carry out any works on the road, excluding emergencies, for a five-year period.

Leader of the borough council, Cllr Stephen Mansbridge, said: “This is an iconic High Street and one that we want to preserve most appropriately.”

He added that the setts would be re-laid more closely together.

“We will get it done as it should have been done all along,” he added.